How to Clean and Mop Terrazzo Floors?

If you’ve visited the St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, you won’t miss the terrazzo floor embedded with brass stars. Terrazzo floors are known for their versatile design made from chips of marble, granite, quartz, or glass set in cement or epoxy.

While terrazzo is durable, it is prone to stains and discolouration if not cleaned properly. To keep them shining for years, discover the safest ways to clean terrazzo floors, the essential tools, and what to avoid.

What’s the Best Way to Clean Terrazzo Floors?

The best way to clean terrazzo floors is to start by removing dirt on the surface, then mop with a mild cleaner and gentle tools. Since terrazzo contains marble, limestone, and granite chips, avoid acidic cleaners, harsh brushes, and excess moisture. You can opt for a robot vacuum and mop for automated convenience.

Can You Mop Terrazzo Floors?

Yes, you can mop terrazzo floors, but you must use a microfibre mop, a gentle stone cleaner, and minimal water. Refresh frequently and wring the mop fully before each pass; also, avoid cleaners that contain acids or bleach, as these can dull or etch the surface.

If you’re not sure how to mop your floors, a general rule is that terrazzo is porous, and moisture can compromise the bond between the terrazzo and the concrete slab. Do not use steam cleaners because high heat and moisture can weaken the sealant and cause stains or cracks. Re-sealing from time to time helps restore protection against daily wear.

Should You Vacuum or Sweep Terrazzo Floors?

You should vacuum or sweep terrazzo floors before mopping to prevent grit from scratching the surface. Choose a robot vacuum with soft brushes or a gentle broom made from natural fibres or soft synthetic materials, since the smooth finish of terrazzo makes any fine scratches more visible than on a rougher texture.

DEEBOT robot vacuums automatically vacuum with soft brushes and strong suction, helpful for anyone who struggles with how to vacuum floors properly.

Read more: How to Clean Laminate Floors?

What Tools Should You Use to Clean Terrazzo Floors?

The best tools to clean terrazzo floors are non-abrasive, soft tools, like a soft-bristle broom and a microfibre mop that will not scratch the surface. For cleaners, a pH-neutral stone cleaner, including a DIY dish soap cleaner, is ideal.

Premium smart vacuums like DEEBOT are built with soft brushes and customisable suction and water flow settings, allowing you to modify the water level on terrazzo floors.

Read more: How to Clean Stone Floors?

How to Clean Terrazzo Floors Step-by-Step?

The best way to clean terrazzo floors is to lift loose debris away, then mop with minimal water and a pH-neutral cleaner. Address stains with gentle tools like a soft sponge, then rinse and dry completely to prevent water spots if needed. Robot vacuums and mops can automate daily upkeep with flexible settings.


 

Step 1: Remove Dust and Debris

Sweep or vacuum to stop grit from scratching terrazzo’s polished finish, which shows marks more easily than honed or matte surfaces. Pay extra attention to corners and high-traffic areas where debris builds up quickly, or get help with DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone's TruEdge 3.0 Extreme Edge Cleaning system that pulls in dust along edges and corners with an air-cushion suspended roller with an extended 1.5cm reach and the fixed side brush. You can further set how often to vacuum your floors in the ECOVACS HOME app.

Read more: How to Clean Vinyl Floors?

Step 2: Prepare Your Cleaning Solution

Spot-test a mild cleaner made for natural stone to prevent etching the marble or limestone chips in terrazzo. Avoid vinegar or citrus since acids damage calcium carbonate. Hard water can also leave mineral deposits. Use certified cleaners exclusively for robot vacuums and mops.

Step 3: Wet and Wring the Mop

Terrazzo should only be damp-mopped, as too much water can seep into the cement binder and weaken the structure. Wring the mop thoroughly after each pass to prevent puddling. Robot vacuums like DEEBOT X8 PRO OMNI let users fine-tune water output across 50 levels on terrazzo.

Read more: How to Clean Travertine Floor?  

Step 4: Start Mopping the Floor

Mop in straight, overlapping lines to avoid missing spots and reduce streaks on polished terrazzo. Rinse the mop frequently to avoid spreading residue. For marks, use a soft sponge with baking soda paste or dish soap. DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone’s smart mapping improves coverage and removes stains through multiple passes with AI stain detection 2.0.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the floor with clean water to remove leftover cleaner that causes haze on polished terrazzo. Dry the surface completely with microfibre cloths or airflow to prevent water spots. Using DEEBOT with its dedicated solution saves you from manual rinsing or drying thanks to precise moisture control.

Read more: How to Clean Concrete Floors?

How Often Should You Clean or Mop Terrazzo Floors?

It is recommended to vacuum terrazzo floors two to three times per week and mop once a week, similar to how often to mop tile floors. High-traffic areas like the kitchen may need mopping every two to three days, and spills should be cleaned immediately. Homes with kids or pets may adjust the frequency accordingly.

Polished or sealed terrazzo usually needs less maintenance than waxed or acrylic-coated finishes, which wear down faster. Premium models like the DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone let you set how often to mop your floors or control the device remotely through the ECOVACS HOME app.

Read more: How to Clean Tile Floors?

What to Avoid When Cleaning Terrazzo Floors?

The biggest mistakes to avoid when cleaning terrazzo are using acidic cleaners, abrasive tools, or excessive water. Acidic products dissolve calcium carbonate and leave permanent dull spots, abrasive tools create visible scratches on the polished surface, and too much water can seep into the cement binder, causing long-term damage.

Here are the top common mistakes to avoid:

• Avoid strong cleaners: Cleaners with acids, bleach, and ammonia can react with terrazzo’s calcium carbonate, causing irreversible spots.
• Avoid abrasive tools: Steel wool and scouring pads scratch polished terrazzo easily, weakening the protective seal over time.
• Avoid oversaturation: Excess moisture can seep into the cement binder, leading to stains or weakened adhesion.
• Avoid steam or high heat: Steam can penetrate and wear away the sealant, while the heat can soften the binder and lead to warping or discolouration.
• Avoid wax-based products: Wax creates a cloudy finish that involves stripping, which is harsh on terrazzo.

Read more: How to Clean Wood Floors?

How ECOVACS Can Help Clean Terrazzo Floors?

DEEBOT robot vacuums automate terrazzo floor care with smart features. The DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone, for example, vacuums with soft brushes and BLAST technology that supports strong suction up to 19,500 Pa¹, while its OZMO ROLLER 2.0 system scrubs at 200rpm with the upgraded high-density-nylon mop roller and continuous refresh. Once done, the OmniCyclone station deep-washes the roller using a 75°C hot water soak.

With remote control and scheduling via the ECOVACS HOME app, and self-cleaning, DEEBOT robot vacuums provide great help in prolonging your terrazzo floors’ lifespan.

Disclaimer(s):

1. 19,500Pa: This data comes from ECOVACS laboratory. The suction power of DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone can reach 19,500Pa.